Faith squirmed in her seat, but Savannah seemed comfortable enough talking about personal issues in front of her.

“Mom–”

“No. It’s true. I justified it by telling myself his marriage to Emma hadn’t been for love, but that doesn’t make what I did right. The truth is, the man is a cheater. If I take him back, he’s bound to do it again. It isn’t like it’s only happened once, after all.”

Jason nodded in agreement. “I hate to admit that you’re right because he’s my father … but you are. And as long as you’re saying these things yourself, I can say I agree with you and your decision.”

Listening to mother and son, Faith marveled at a few things. One, how close they obviously were, but then Jason had said his family was everything to him. Two, the burden he carried on his shoulders. A father he couldn’t look up to, a mother he obviously loved and wanted to take care of, and a past of his own that was heavy and painful. No wonder he didn’t want to add any more people to his responsibilities.

“Faith, honey, I’m so sorry to put you in the middle of listening to my problems.” The sound of her name shook Faith out of her musings.

“It’s no problem, Mrs. Dare. I’m really the intruder here.”

“First, call me Savannah, and second, nonsense. Now tell me how you and my son met.”

Faith bit the inside of her cheek, then said, “He rescued me when I was stuck with a flat tire one night and somehow has become entangled in my problems.”

Savannah nodded somberly. “Yes, he told me about those issues while you were showering and getting ready. Money does such dreadful things to people. Really. I’m sorry about your brother.”

“Well, he had a drug problem long before my mother passed away and left me a small inheritance. The fact that there was money just makes it all worse. It gives him a reason to come after me. I just can’t believe he’s been able to stay under the radar for so long.” She shifted in her seat, automatically looking out the window. As if her brother would magically appear, but of course he didn’t.

Jason frowned at the reminder of Colton. “He’s hanging out with people who have no way of being found. Other addicts and dealers, probably. But I have faith in Jack Renault.” He looked to his mother. “That’s the PI Gabe recommended.”

Savannah nodded, then reached over and took Faith’s hand. “My son is a good man. He’s solid and dependable. I am sure he’ll see to it your situation is resolved and you’re safe.” She squeezed once before letting go.

“Thank you,” Faith whispered.

To her surprise, at that motherly gesture and those kind, reassuring words, a lump rose to her throat. Savannah Dare reminded Faith of her own mom, and the loss she still felt deeply, even if she was often too busy to dwell on her pain.